Which Designation is Right for You?

About Certified Fixed Income Practitioner (CFIP)

Committed professionals across the country have achieved their CFIP designation to demonstrate mastery of the foundational principles of fixed income investing as well as dedication to life-long learning and ethical standards. The information learned in the program prepares individuals for a variety of careers, making it a popular choice for public agency treasury and investment professionals, bank and credit union managers, investment oversight committees, investment advisers and registered representatives. Working with our graduates and Student Advisory Council, we have developed new requirements for obtaining and maintaining the designation. Please refer to the 2018 Designation Requirements for additional information.

As proud as we are of our bond school curriculum and certification program, they are not the only options and may not be the best choice for you. The notion of post-secondary learning and continuing professional education (CPE) continues to evolve, creating more customized options for all of us to achieve our learning objectives. Collaboration is key as we work together to tailor learning plans. As an example, FIA Bond School is now part of the required curriculum to achieve the Certified California Municipal Treasurer (CCMT) designation and we are helping the Government Investment Officers Association (GIOA) develop a new designation specifically suited for more active investment managers in the public sector Read on to learn more and don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your options. We are here to help.

If you are currently a CFIP and wish to maintain your designation, visit the Membership page to complete your application.

Why Get Certified?

Obtaining a financial industry specific certification and/or designation is a great way to stay sharp and keep up with trends. It also demonstrates to employers and constituents that you take your fiduciary responsibility seriously and are committed to optimizing your organization's results.

Measure Results

The desire to measure mastery of knowledge has highlighted the need for uniform professional standards, which has prompted their creation as well as new certification programs. This is a good thing because it allows professionals to focus their time on learning concepts and applications directly related to their areas of responsibility. But it can also be a little confusing when sorting through the alphabet soup of titles and accreditations. So we created this table to list some of the more common programs geared towards institutional and public agency investors for your convenience. We have gathered the information from various sources deemed to be reliable, but encourage you to visit each organization's website to learn more about their respective programs.

Compare and Contrast

First, let's clarify our definitions of "certification" versus "designation." The terms are used interchangeably and it becomes confusing when many designations include the word "certified". Heck, we even encourage you to "get certified!", mainly because it sound better than "get designated!".

Generally speaking, certifications are earned after successfully completing a body of knowledge, typically demonstrated by passing a test. Certificate programs do not have continuing professional education (CPE) and renewal requirements to maintain the credential. Certificate holders typically do not use marks or initials after their names.

Well-received designation programs are earned after successfully mastering a body of knowledge, typically demonstrated by the passing of one or a series of tests. Most designations programs will have more stringent prerequisites in addition to ongoing CPE and renewal requirements. The content covered is typically comprehensive and takes longer to complete. Designation holders typically do use marks or initials after their name, such as CPA, CFA® and CFP®, providing the designation holder continues to comply with the requirements of the sponsor organization. The sponsoring organizations are responsible for ensuring that designation holders keep up with the ongoing CPE and other requirements.

Graduate level program for portfolio managers, equity and fixed income analyst and institutional investors.

Education and work experience requirements, must pass 3 exams (the average person takes 4 years to complete and there is a less than 50% success rate), cost varies depending on types of study materials and number of times taken but is in the range of $2000 - $4000

Buy-side and sell-side professionals and support staff responsible for the management or oversight of cash equivalents and/or short duration fixed income portfolios; public and private treasurers and portfolio managers, institutional sales people, auditors, oversight committee members

Educational and/or work experience plus membership in a qualified industry trade association and commitment to comply with the CFA® Code of Ethics. Bond School registration is $1650 or $1275 for Mission Partners.

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About Us

We Believe

Fixed Income Academy believes it is possible for all investors to acquire the knowledge tools necessary to successfully operate their portfolios with confidence.

We Exist

Fixed Income Academy exists to serve professionals responsible for the management, oversight or regulation of institutional fixed income portfolios. Read more...

NASBA

Fixed Income Academy LP is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided by Fixed Income Academy (FIA) is intended for Institutional Investors and Market Participants. FIA is neither an investment advisor nor a municipal advisor and the content provided is neither investment advice nor municipal advice. All content should be used for informational purposes only. The information, including information provided by third party providers, is deemed reliable but it is not guaranteed and is subject to change at any time. Opinions expressed by any individual contributor, whether or not affiliated with FIA, are their own and do not represent the views of FIA or any affiliated organizations.